Local duo flying like Eagles

TWO Worksop teens have gained scholarship contracts with rugby league club the Sheffield Eagles.

Macauley Watkinson and Ben Doxey, both 15, have only been playing the league and union codes for three years.

Sheffield Eagles rugby players Macauley Watkinson, 15 and Ben Doxey, 15, have received �100 each sponsorship from Smiths Flour Mills. The two are pictured with their dads Nick Watkinson and Pete Doxey, who are both lorry drivers at Smiths Flour Mills (w120125-9f)

But after representing East Midlands and the Midlands at league and attending the Rugby Player Development Centre at Loughborough College, the duo won trials for the Eagles scholarships.

Sponsorship from Smiths Flour Mills has helped them with their training costs this year, as they travel to Sheffield twice a week for fitness, strength and conditioning and theory training.

Macauley’s dad Nick said the Eagles tie in was paying dividends for the pair.

“They get excellent experience training with the first team,” he told the Guardian.

“They will be playing super league opponents when the league season starts, and also playing for their local team, the North Derbs Chargers.”

Not content with success on the league pitch, the Outwood Academy Valley students have been finding form in rugby football union.

They have both reached the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Cup with Dinnington.

Trending

Saxilby family who lived ‘lavish’ lifestyle convicted of modern slavery and fraud offences